Son of the Revolution Essay - 1727 Words

Son of the Revolution Liang Heng and Judith Shapiros Son of the Revolution is a comprehensive story of Liang Hengs life on growing up during the chaotic times of the Chinese revolution. The purpose of this novel was to depict the horrors and hardships of life during the revolution period in china during Mao Zedongs reign. In the beginning of the book, the author portrays that news and ideologies always stated that the government was working for the good of the people of the country. However, as the book unfolds the author reveals that the government is actually exploiting the people through misuse of peoples trust. The book also provides insights into the Chinese life during the period of 1954-1978. This 24 year period saw major†¦show more content†¦In hope to re-gain status and avoid from being further insulted, divorce was the path Liang Hengs father chose to take. However, even after the divorce, the Liang family still endured criticism because once branded, no matter what, they would always b e criticized. One of the ways to gain social status was to marry into a family who was part of a party or of a high social status. So after divorcing his wife for purely political reasons, Liang Hengs father married a woman who was both a party member and a high ranking cadre in the a factory. This marriage was obviously based on Liang Hengs fathers desperate need to gain social status rather than out of love. Marriage was also based on convenience to both partners. When Liang Hengs father married for the third time it was because he needed someone who could take care of the house and the children and in turn the woman had wanted to leave the village she was living in and live in the city residence where so many goods were available, however the process to transfer her teaching job from the village to the city was complicated. So she married to Liang Hengs father which Liang suspected in hope to move to the city easily. In 1958, soon after the Anti-Rightist Movement, Mao Zedong announced The Great Leap Forward movement in attempt to increase agricultural and industrial production and modernize Chinas economy. The author of the book doesnt talk muchShow MoreRelatedThe Sons Of Liberty And The American Revolution1849 Words   |  8 PagesThe Sons of Liberty was the name given to a group of patriots who worked underground to defend the rights of the colonists against the British government in the years before the American Revolution. They represented the ideals of liberty and justice, approving all the grievances and complaints of the colonists. 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